Sleep Awareness Week

For Sleep Awareness Week, the Sleep Health Foundation have put together 10 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep.

As we know, it’s important for us to sleep well but this can mean different things to different people. For example; Winston Churchill drank a weak whisky and soda before a two hour nap at 5 pm. Churchill credited this routine with enabling him to fit in a day and half of work in 24 hours. Florence Nightingale only slept for fours a night and Donald Trump, famous for his late night tweets, reportedly only sleeps 3 hours at night. Arianna Huffington developed a sleep routine after collapsing from sleep deprivation. Now her routine includes, no electronics in the bedroom, a bath in Epsom salts and reading.

Why is sleep so important? Scientists are yet to fully understand everything about sleep but what we do know is that sleep helps to restore us physically and mentally.

Sleep is thought to help keep your immune system strong and your heart and blood vessels healthy. It also allows for growth and healing and helps to control your appetite and weight.

Lack of sleep can and does affect your ability to concentrate, learn, and remember; sleep is also an important factor in managing your mood. Poor sleep has been linked to a range of physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and increased chance of road accidents.

Basically, you need sleep so your mind and body can work properly.

Sleep problems can and do affect your health and safety, so if you’re feeling sleep deprived, see your doctor for advice.

Sources: Sleep Health Foundation, Better Health Channel, healthdirect